RARE - War of 1812 “Cheesebox” style canteen, marked with maker “E. BURR” and initials

Recently, I was fortunate enough to acquire an extensive collection of canteens, rundlets, and flasks. They span a significant period dating from the early 1700s through the Civil War. Among these items is this cheesebox canteen.

It has most of the original black paint remaining. It has a diameter of 7 ¼” and 2 ½” wide and has the original wood stopper remaining.  What is unique about this one is that part of the original leather strap is remaining in the leather guides.

One side has a very old paper tag attached, which at one time would have provided some history on this canteen or its owner. There is also a large, very faint “SC” stenciled. On the side of the canteen, carved in scrip under the leather strap is “L N”, probably the original owner’s initials. On the other side there is carved “S x C” and stamped “E. BURR”.  

E. Burr was Elisha, and J. Burr was his brother John. Both brothers were from Hingham, Massachusetts and produced militia canteens during the early 19th century for the War of 1812 – they would be painted black and some would have “US” stenciled on the side.

Some 25,000 of these were ordered by Tench Coxe, Purveyor of Public Supplies, in 1812 to supply detached militia troops acting as auxiliaries to U.S. regulars. They were supplied by several coopers. Elisha Burr is known as one supplier of these suppliers. Quantities ended up in state and militia hands after the war, and many were used during the early part of the Civil War.

I would think that the “SC” markings stood for South Carolina. During the War of 1812, South Carolina furnished 10,172 infantry men, 337 cavalry men, 614 artillery men, and 100 men in miscellaneous troops for a total of 11,223 men.

This canteen is museum-quality, having the markings and the very rare “E. BURR” clearly stamped on the side.